Five Smart Tips for Choosing the Right Tyres for Your Car
Summer means more travel and more kilometres. It’s also the season when many drivers start thinking about new tyres. But choosing the right set isn’t just a matter of reading a number off the sidewall. It’s a decision that affects safety, comfort, fuel economy and how your car behaves on the road. Here are five specific tips to help you make the right call.
Stick to officially approved tyres
Every car has specifications for legal tyre size, load index and speed rating. You’ll find these details in the vehicle registration. For example, “205/55 R16 89V” means:
Width: 205 mm
Aspect ratio: 55
Rim diameter: 16 inches
Type: radial (R)
Load index: 89 (580 kg per tyre)
Speed rating: V (up to 240 km/h)
Also, check the DOT code to see the tyre’s production date. For instance, 1024 means it was made in the 10th week of 2024. No tyre lasts forever.
Don’t go cheap, tyres are no place to cut corners
A budget tyre may seem like a deal, but it comes at a cost: weaker braking, faster wear, poor wet grip and a higher chance of accidents. Consumer advocates stress that quality tyres improve safety and reduce fuel use. A premium tyre lasts longer, performs better and ends up costing less in the long run.
Match the tyre to your car and your driving style
Electric cars and relaxed drivers do best with quiet, comfortable tyres that have low rolling resistance. If you drive something powerful or enjoy spirited driving, look for a tyre with sharp handling, cornering grip and quick response. Price should never be the only factor. Choose what fits your car and your hand on the wheel.
Factor in climate and road conditions
Winter in the Alps is not summer in Seville. If you live or travel where temperatures often drop below five degrees, use winter tyres. Summer tyres perform well in dry warmth but are dangerously slick below zero. All-season tyres work in milder climates, but their compromises can show in extreme conditions. Think about where and how you actually drive.
Read the EU tyre label
The label on the tyre sidewall tells more than you might think:
Fuel efficiency: A (best) to E (worst)
Wet grip: A (shorter braking distance) to E
External noise: classes A to C, plus decibel value
Winter symbol: three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF)
Ice grip: special icon for Nordic-type tyres
This label lets you see which tyres truly perform and which ones just come cheaper.
Your tyre touches the road on an area no bigger than a postcard. That tiny patch keeps you in the curve, brakes in emergencies and gives your car its direction. So don’t just choose what’s on the shelf. Choose what works for you. The right tyre isn’t a luxury. It’s basic self-preservation.
